Co-op placements
Looking for placement students? Join Federation Co-op. We'll help you find the right candidates and provide resources and support throughout their time with you.
Co-op students will complete a minimum of 60 days’ paid placement relevant to their course – contributing directly to course credits – either full time, part time over an extended period or in blocks embedded into their subjects.
Here’s how it works
- Your organisation agrees to participate in Federation Co-op by signing an agreement that sets out the expectations and obligations of each party.
- We give you access the resources you’ll need to help placement students.
- We help you create and advertise placement positions.
- You receive applications then interview and recruit student/s just as you would regular employees.
- We help you set learning objectives at the start of the placement.
- We check in regularly during placement and provide ongoing support.
- You complete a simple student assessment at the end of the placement.
- You give us feedback about the Co-op placement process.
Let’s talk about money
Yes, your organisation does have to pay placement students. The salary must be at least the minimum wage for your industry/sector (consistent with requirements under the Fair Work Act 2009), and you’ll need to list it on the position advertisement.
We’ll do the groundwork
Students must complete a subject called Professional Identity before they can start their placement. This introductory unit covers:
- self-awareness
- self-efficacy
- professionalism
- understanding workplace culture and practices
- effective communication
- problem solving
- career planning
- teamwork
- networking
- time management.
We’ll also include discipline-specific aspects (including industry expectations and professional practice) tailored to the student’s field of study.
Dive into the details
Students in the following degrees will begin their co-op courses in 2026.
| Courses | Majors |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) | Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, and Mining |
| Bachelor of Business | Accounting, Economics and Finance, Management, and Marketing |
| Bachelor of Information Technology | AI and Data Science, Business Analysis, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering |
| Bachelor of Science | Veterinary Bioscience, Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation, Chemistry and Analytical Science, Brewing and Food Science, Geoscience |
| Bachelor of Arts | History and Heritage Studies, Sociology, Indigenous Studies, English, Digital Humanities, and Writing |
| Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice | |
| Bachelor of Education Studies | |
| Bachelor of Business Transformation | |
| Bachelor of Digital Transformation (IT) | |
| Bachelor of Sport, Physical and Outdoor Education | |
| Master of Engineering Project Management | |
| Master of Digital Business Transformation | |
| Master of Forensic Cyber Security | |
| Master of Engineering Technology |
There is no limit to the number of placements you can offer, provided you can provide the supervision required for each placement.
Students should be supervised by a manager or staff member who understands the job’s requirements and can encourage a successful placement. Roles advertised will require a position description that outlines key requirements and who the student will report to during their placement. One of our Co-op Coordinators can assist with this.
Students can undertake any meaningful work that aligns with their studies. Work can be “business as usual” work or project-based activities. We will assist you in developing a position description that aligns with the learning objectives of the student's course.
Paid, meaningful work related to a student’s field of study is the definition of a Co-op placement, so all Co-op placements must be paid.
Following the recruitment process, you pay students directly. This gives them the opportunity to experience the real workforce and allows you to consider their suitability for the work required. At a minimum, students are paid the minimum wage for your industry or sector. The remuneration will be listed on the job opportunity when advertised.
All wages and conditions must be consistent with Fair Work Act 2009 requirements.
Placements will be advertised directly to students through an online portal. Once your job has been approved by the University, students will be able to browse opportunities and apply.
A Co-op Coordinator will assist you during this process and answer any questions you may have.
A student can approach you about a placement but for it to be recognised as a Federation Co-op placement on the student’s record, an agreement between your organisation and Federation University must be in place before the start of the placement.
If any issue arises that can’t be resolved through your organisation’s policies and procedures, a Federation University Co-op Coordinator can help you to achieve a resolution.
Yes, you will. International students are resilient, flexible, multilingual, and bring diverse cross-cultural skills and perspectives to the workplace. We will assist you with navigating and understanding any visa implications or requirements.
International students have work rights in Australia included in their student visas. During our soft launch in 2024, Co-op Placements were not considered compulsory, and therefore, international students were limited to 48 hours of work per fortnight.
As Co-op placements are imbedded into a commencing students course from 2025 onwards, they will not impact students’ 48 hours of work per fortnight, and they will be free to work in both full-time and part-time placements, both during teaching periods and in the teaching breaks.
Yes, many of our students will be keen for ongoing work including our international students . However, there is no obligation to offer ongoing work following placement.
Ready to get involved?
Email us at co-op@federation.edu.au